Ludhiana trade body puts China on no-go list

FEDERATION OF INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ORGANISATION HAS CANCELLED VISITS TO FIVE SHOWS TILL APRIL

LUDHIANA: Besides killing people and creating havoc, the coronavirus epidemic sweeping across China is causing collateral damage to Ludhiana industry as well.

The Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organisation (FICO), a consortium of 2,000 members of which 1,300 are from the cycle industry, has cancelled five tours to China and Taiwan following the scare. The cancellation is likely to be a dampener on bilateral trade and collaboration in the bicycle industry, especially as the city manufactures 90% of 1.7 crore cycles made annually in the country. For high-end cycles, major components are imported from China.

Usually, hundreds of cycle manufacturers visit China to participate in global trade fairs for technology exchange programmes.

The shows hit this year are The Taipei Cycle show (March 4-7) in Taiwan, China Plas, to be held from April 21-24 in Shanghai, as well as Canton Fair, Phase 1, II and III to be held in April and May.

Gurmeet Singh Kular, president, FICO, said, “The largest show on the bicycle industry ‘China Cycle, 2020’ to be held in Shanghai from May 6-9 is also under review. It is likely that we will cancel that trip.”

DS Chawla, president, United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association (UCPMA), said, “The epidemic in China has also hit our imports as we are not sure who has packed our containers in that country. We are fearing imports as containers are already in transit on way from ports in China.

He added, “We are also advising members not to go for tinned food from China. The government should stop imports. Containers should be isolated at ports itself and should be sent onwards only after clearance.”

SS Bhogal of Bhogal Sales Corporation said, “It is sad that we will not be able to make it to the China Cycle Fair this year.” He added, “Such events showcase latest technology and also promote exchange programmes.”